Earth targeted for elimination
In a previous article we investigated how a potentially hostile alien species could invade Earth. However what if invasion was not an option. What if the objective was the neutralization of Earth? Let me explain.
Throughout history we have evolved more and more sophisticated weapons. Weapons that bring destruction on an unbelievable scale. We have gone from the simple hand gun through to the nuclear bomb. So why have nuclear weapons only be used twice during wartime?
The reason that nuclear warfare has not erupted on a global scale is the principle of MAD that was first quoted during the Cold War. Mutually Assured Destruction meant that if either side launched its arsenal of nuclear weapons the other side would respond. Thus both sides would be wiped out. However the theory of no winners in a nuclear war can be a bit misleading. Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBM) can reach their targets in a matter of minutes. The advent of stealth bombers has also meant that "invisible" nuclear strikes are now a very real possibility. A new principle has now come into fashion called the Decapitation Strike. The theory is that the main command and control structures are targeted thereby limiting or removing the enemies ability to launch a counter attack.
During the 1980's SLBM's came into prominence resulting in the possibility of a Decapitation Strike. As a result the USSR implemented a system known as "Dead Hand". The theory was that if the USSR's leadership were killed in a preemptive strike then a semi automatic retaliation would be implemented. Exact details of how this would have been implemented are still disputed however it paints a chilling picture of what could have been.
So what will nuclear weapons of the future be like? Most likely they will be longer range, have greater accuracy and the delivery system will probably be stealth enabled. So lets take it one more step into the far future. Weapons that can neutralize large areas of a planets surface that travel at high velocity and are virtually undetectable. This is now the nightmare scenario of two waring planets. You could not detect the incoming missiles. You could not defend against them. And such a strike is likely to neutralize large parts of the planet. In essence your race would face the risk of extinction and there is only one thing you could do: strike first.
So the theory is that any race with sufficiently advanced weapons systems would ensure its own survival above all other species. Since you would never be completely certain that a neighboring star system wouldn't launch their missiles first the only option is to launch yours.
If you think this sounds far fetched scenario then think back to the Cold War. Both sides feared a first strike so the option of a Decapitation Strike was a very real possibility. Even today no non-nuclear nation can hope to develop nuclear weapons without significant pressure from other countries to stop.
So is the Earth in any real danger? Certainly not in the short to long term. However if and when we have the capability to explore the galaxy then this will become a very real issue.
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